Charlie Trapp
Obituaries January 7, 2020 Mundwiler Funeral Home 1
Charlie Trapp, age 63, of Milbank passed away at his residence on January 5, 2020.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church in Milbank. Kristy Liebe and Rev. Thom Bowsher will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Saturday, one hour prior to the service.
Charles “Charlie” Steven Trapp was born in Milbank, SD, on February 3, 1956. He was the son of Arvel and Loretta (Giessinger) Trapp. Charlie grew up on the family farm west of Milbank. He began his education at Grant Center #1, located across from the field near the farm. When the country school closed, Charlie attended Koch Elementary School and Milbank High School. He graduated from Milbank High School in 1974. Charlie was a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church in Milbank.
Charlie entered the workforce by first working for Milwaukee Railroad. He then worked for Ray Bracht Transportation for the next two years. With Charlie’s strong interest in construction work, he went to work for Milo Porter Construction, learning the trade well for the next four years. Next, his working career took him to Skelgas, working for the next 15 years until that job was no longer available. Over Charlie’s working years, he taught himself many skills and then had the opportunity to start working for Trapp Brothers Plumbing and Heating where he worked from 1994-2000. He unfortunately suffered an on-the-job back injury and became disabled in the year 2000. During his disability years, he underwent three back surgeries. While recuperating, Charlie kept busy by helping friends and family with small construction, electrical, or plumbing projects when able. Charlie was always very willing to share his expertise and help others. When Charlie wasn’t helping others, he was usually found tinkering or constructing in his garage. During his relaxation time, one could be reassured that Charlie would be found watching HGTV or the History Channel.
On April 6, 1985, Charlie was united in marriage with Sandy Folk. He had three sons: Steve, Mike and Josh, and later a stepdaughter, Alicia. Together, Charlie and Sandy were blessed with 34 years of marriage.
Charlie’s favorite most recent memories were the anniversary and family trips that he and Sandy went on. The favorite and biggest traveling adventure was to Hawaii four years ago with his brother and sister-in-law, Don and Vicki Trapp, and his sister, Adele. Other trips took them to North Carolina; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Nebraska; Lake Okoboji, Iowa; and North Dakota. Charlie loved searching out historical sites wherever he went. Also, Charlie enjoyed family “Trappaloosa” reunions held at the Scott and Carla farm/party loft. The most recent reunion gathering was the “Chicken Drop” benefit for him in June 2019.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Sandy; his children: Steve Trapp, Mike (Liz) Trapp, and Josh Trapp, all of Milbank, SD; step-daughter, Alicia (Elliottt) Wohlleber; grandchildren: Lillian (Lily), Aaliya, and Victoria (Tori) Trapp; three step-grandchildren: Matthew, Brett, and Kristina Wohlleber; six siblings: Adele (Don) Huls of Chadron, NE; Don (Vicki) Trapp of Fort Mill, SC; Linda (Mark) Comstock of Milbank, SD; Diane Hastings of Jamestown, ND; Karen (Dennis) Owen of Stoughton, WI; and Scott (Carla) Trapp of Milbank, SD; goddaughter, Becca Trapp of Sioux Falls, SD; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Charlie was preceded in death by his parents: Arvel and Loretta; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charlie and Joyce Folk; and brother-in-law, Jim Hastings.